In the mid-1980s, to meet the challenge posed by the newly introduced Mercedes 190E 2.3-16, BMW decided to campaign its E30 3-series sedan in Touring Car racing. As such, the company had to homologate 5,000 race cars for sale to the public. The result was the first BMW M3, a high-revving yet reliable car, perfectly suited for any real-world street or track.

This was a driver's car. Handling was superb, very neutral. Any tail-happy slide could be kept in check by the application of the throttle and a bit of opposite lock.

The M3 didn't have massive amounts of power, just 192 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, but it was light, just 2,850 lbs. As a result it offered balance and composure that can't be matched by todays heavier, more powerful cars.

The driving experience wasn't mediated by a slew of electronic aids. There were no menus to navigate, no preferences to set. Skid correction came in the form of your hands turning the wheel. Traction control was your right foot.

This kind of car won't be made again. Consumers want too many gadgets. Regulators want too many safety devices. Many people consider it a once-in-a-lifetime car, not a finicky, impractical sports car, but a useable performance sedan with a trunk and a backseat that rewards skills with thrills all day long.

The E30 M3 earned its legendary status and it's one of the best road cars you can buy.

About the print

Each print is a piece of automotive art featuring iconic, 20th-century cars, from the golden age of automobile design of the '50s, '60s, and '70s through to the '80s and '90s, rendered in a crisp, modern, vector illustration.

They are printed on heavyweight, 10-mil, acid-free stock with vivid, crisp, high-dynamic-range, archival inks. Framed, these prints will remain fade-free for up to 200 years. These are much more than just a poster.

They’re for sale here and designed to look fantastic in your home, office, or garage.

About

Hi, my name is Nik Schulz. By day I create illustrations for magazines. By night I draw the 20th-century's iconic cars and products, and offer the illustrations here as fine prints and clothing. I hope you enjoy them!